Salado Ruin in Roger's Canyon, Superstition Mountains

Photo 3 shows the front of the upper ruin, which is the largest and most well preserved. After seven hundred years the original wooden lintel still supports the wall over the doorway into the open courtyard. The right-hand part of the structure has a roof made of logs overlaid with sticks and covered in mud. The end of one of the roof support beams, nine inches in diameter, is visible sticking out of the front wall about two feet down from the top. The first time I visited this ruin the roof was completely intact. By the time this photo was taken (2002), the roof had started to collapse, presumably damaged by careless hikers walking on it.

Photo 1 The ruins are built into a series of small caves, in very rugged surroundings. (2002)	Photo 2 Close-up of two of the caves. Ruins are visible in both the upper and lower caves. (2002)	Photo 3 The upper ruin. Adobe walls and roof are very well preserved. (2002)

Salado Ruins in Roger's Canyon: Click on a thumbnail for larger pictures.

The hike itself is about four miles one way. There are several trails in the area, so make sure you have a map. From the parking area, start out on the Reavis Ranch Trail (Trail 109). You will pass the junction to West Pinto trail, which branches off to the right (don't take it). About 1.25 miles from the trailhead is the junction between Reavis Ranch Trail (which goes right) and Roger's Canyon Trail (which goes left). Follow Roger's Canyon Trail (Trail-110) as it follows the stream in the bottom of Roger's Canyon. The canyon is narrow, and the trail frequently crosses back and forth over the stream, but the hiking is relatively easy. The ruins are on the right, about four miles from the parking area. Half a mile beyond the ruins the canyon opens up into Angel Basin, a large meadow where several major trails intersect.